Dune dynamics monitoring protocol for gypsum dune fields in White Sands National Monument, New Mexico: Version 1.0
Smith V, Kocurek G, Mohrig D, Christian S, Rhinehart E, Pedersen A, Reiser MH. 2016. Dune dynamics monitoring protocol for gypsum dune fields in White Sands National Monument, New Mexico: Version 1.0. Natural Resource Report. NPS/CHDN/NRR—2016/1201. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
This protocol outlines the justification, objectives, and procedures developed for long-term monitoring of vital signs of the dune field at White Sands National Monument (NM). These vital signs include dune stability and formation, as well as dune morphology. The protocol describes how geographic information systems software can be used to evaluate these properties of the dune field using high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) collected at White Sands NM via airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveys. It also describes how DEMs for the dune field collected over a period of years can be systematically compared to each other in order to quantify change over time. Individual and time series of DEMs can be used to provide quantitative answers to the following questions characterizing the dune-field vital signs (1) what are the migration rates of the sand dunes? (2) do the rates of dune migration change spatially over the dune field? (3) are the dune migration rates changing over time? (4) are dunes changing in size and shape over time and through space? and (5) is the overall size of the dune field expanding, contracting or staying the same? This protocol narrative describes the (1) background and rationale for monitoring of sand dunes in the NM, (2) program goals and objectives, (3) sampling design, (4) field methods, (5) data management, (6) analysis and reporting, (7) personnel requirements and training, (8) operational requirements, and (9) procedures for revising and reviewing the protocol. Six detailed standard operating procedures that describe the implementation of all aspects of this protocol are included in this document.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Smith, Virginia; Kocurek, Gary; Mohrig, David; Christian, Sarah; Rhinehart, Elizabeth; Pedersen, Anine; Reiser, M.
- Date of Issue
- 2016-04
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- CHDN , NRSS , WHSA
- Keywords
- dune dynamics, dune dynamics protocol, dune monitoring, gypsum dunes, lidar